New York City, home of 54.3 million tourists a year.
Everywhere you turn in NYC, you will probably be able to spot one. Most native New Yorkers sigh or made snide remarks when they even hear the word tourist. I’m not going to lie, sometimes they get in the way and it gets a little frustrating, but I’m not here to bash or hate on them.
Even when they walk zero miles per hour and get in my way, I still love seeing people coming to visit my city. See, I’m here to help you enjoy my home, without looking like such a tourist.
So here's how-- and yeah, you might want to get your notebook out for this one.
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Before you come to New York, learn how to walk as fast as you can (and how to dodge people as you walk)
Nothing annoys New Yorkers more than tourists who walk slower than snails, side by side, blocking entire sidewalks. It makes me want to scream and literally lose my sh*t.
If you are going to stop and look at a map or up at a tall building, please pull over to the side of the sidewalk-- unless you want to get shouldered or arm-barred (literally).
You’re not in the suburbs of Indiana, or South Carolina, or even some European mountainside; people have places to be at all times of the day and night here.
Act accordingly.
Don’t be afraid to ask for directions
I myself can't even read those subway maps; however, learn to approach the right people when asking for directions.
Note: don’t walk up to people with headphones on or people who look like they are in a hurry. I am 100% sure they are going to point you in any direction and have you walk around aimlessly. If someone doesn’t take (at the very least) four seconds to answer, then they are lying to you just so you will leave them alone.
Don’t be afraid to ask a cop or the guys who sell Halal food (unless they are super busy with customers) for help, as they’ll most likely help you out more than any busy New Yorker on their grind.
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Stop dressing like Steve Irwin (may he rest in peace)
I can’t even count how many families I see walking around looking like Australian crocodile hunters.
Enough of the Bermuda shorts and the NASCAR driver sunglasses, and for the love of all things that are good, please stop wearing those "I Love New York" shirts. They are meant for you to wear back in your hometown-- not on 5th Avenue.
I truly appreciate that you love New York, I honestly do, just please don’t wear those shirts; they scream tourist. We know you love New York, that’s why we're all here, am I right?
,Stop visiting cliché tourist spots
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Yes there's the Statue of Liberty and holy sh*t, there are so many people and tall buildings in Times Square, but let's be honest-- it’s overrated.
New Yorkers tend to avoid these places at all costs. I myself dread passing through Times Square, even if it’s transferring to another subway underground.
If you want to see what New York City is all about, lose the map and just get lost for a day. Just avoid ending up in neighborhoods like Jamaica (Queens), Flatbush (Brooklyn), or Fordham Road (the Bronx).
You’re going to see amazing and cool things everywhere you go. You see, as great as the traditional NYC landmarks are, New York City has a lot more to offer than just tall buildings. If you want to see beautiful architecture, you should check out Riverside Drive, Greenwich Village, and literally most anywhere in Brooklyn.
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Stop eating at major chain restaurants
Oh my goodness, do not go to the Red Lobster on 42nd Street.
There are over 24,000 restaurants in New York City, and if you tell me you ate at an Olive Garden, I might just punch you in the chest (not really, but you know what I'm saying). You have to hit up spots like Amy Ruth’s in Harlem, Tino’s Deli on Arthur Avenue, or one of my personal favorites Baohaus on 14th Street.
The amount of food establishments in New York City is absolutely outstanding, so please do yourself the favor and stay away from chain restaurants like Applebee’s.
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All-in-all tourists aren’t that annoying; most just need a little help when it comes to NYC
This city can be extremely overwhelming and very confusing, especially if you do not come from a metropolitan area.
But just change that mindset from being a tourist to becoming an urban explorer. The most fun I have in NYC are the days I wander for ten hours straight with no set plan of what I’m doing.
And if you have a schedule set for your visit, please make room for a day to just explore other parts of Manhattan (besides midtown) and especially the other boroughs.
Trust me, you won’t regret it.
If you enjoyed this article, check out Tourist Traps: 10 Most Overrated Restaurants in NYC!
This article was originally published via Angry New Yorker. To read more from this author, visit here.